Have you thought about changing careers, and graphic design sounds like a very attractive proposal? Or maybe you have always had a knack for drawing, and would like to become someone who makes a living off of it?
Whatever the case may be, there is a high demand for good graphic designers. Both freelancers and those who are employed in a company should not have that many problems finding work.
However, given the popularity of this profession, one will have to go up against the competition. Here are some tips that ought to help you stand out more and improve the odds of landing the job.
Tip #1 – Work Efficiently
Efficiency comes with experience, but it is a good piece of advice to get into good habits early. For starters, you should stick to a schedule and meet deadlines of clients. Being late will not help with keeping a good reputation.
Mastering the tool you work with will also give you an advantage over other graphic designers. And it is not just the work itself. For instance, photoshop scratch disk can get out of hand if you are not careful with file management. It influences your computer’s performance and can really hinder the overall efficiency of one’s work.
Like already mentioned, these things come with time, but if you are doing things proactively and strive to learn all the time, you will be one step ahead of others.
Tip #2 – Learn Theory Behind Graphic Design
Practical knowledge is great, but there are times when you could consider reading some theory behind graphic design. There is no need to attend university classes if you are self-taught. But checking out a course or two can prove to be quite beneficial. And as you can expect, there are more than enough resources to learn this stuff thanks to the recent growth of online education. Read this article to learn more about theory basics you will need on your path to a successful design career.
Tip #3 – Improve Your Communication Skills
Communication skills are something that a lot of people underestimate, especially when it comes to working. It is highly likely that your potential employer will have multiple candidates to choose from, even if it is a simple logo design job on a freelancer website.
When there are multiple candidates, their portfolios are not the be-all and end-all in determining the choice. Presentation and communication also play a significant role. So be sure that you are well-aware of how to talk to clients and present yourself in the best possible light.
Tip #4 – Keep up With Trends
Trends are inevitable in any industry, and the same thing can be said about graphic designers. Whether it is new tools, new platforms, or new courses that change the game, you need to keep up with these things. Otherwise, it will not be too long before you are left behind by other, more eager graphic designers.
Tip #5 – Join Designer Communities
You may think that designer communities online or at your local city are filled with rivals and are not worth your time. But joining groups on social media, forums, or sites like Reddit or Quora can do more good than you might expect.
For one thing, you can meet a lot of nice people who could share various tips and help you move forward with your career. Job opportunities may also come from such communities, especially if they are not that big. Finally, you can witness the work of others and get some inspiration, provided that they share it.
Tip #6 – Have a Solid Portfolio
A portfolio should always be one of your priorities. If you do not have solid proof of your work, do not expect to get a lot of offers.
Of course, getting your first job is always going to be the hardest. But if you are planning a career in graphic design, there is nothing wrong with doing some work for free or for a minimal fee.
Tip #7 – Ask for Constructive Feedback
Constructive criticism from your peers and people you know and trust can seem pretty harsh at times, especially when you are not prepared or are uncertain of what to expect. Nevertheless, if you want to make progress, hearing what other people have to say about your work is a great opportunity to become better at your job.
You could also share some of your stuff on public channels and ask the opinions of the members.
Tip #8 – Be Present on Social Media
While a fully-developed website is a good thing, you do not really need it as a graphic designer.
Having a presence on social media is more than enough these days. LinkedIn is one of the platforms that you want to focus on the most since it is work-oriented and is the most popular hub for freelancers.
